Letter to AJ: June 19, 2025

I’m not really sure how to bring this up, but I’ve been sitting with this feeling since the other day, and I think I need to say something. Lately, there’s been this quiet hesitation in my gut, something telling me not to give you these letters just yet.

It’s not that I don’t want to share them with you. I do. That was always the intention. But something inside me keeps wondering… if maybe you’ve mentioned these letters to Kevin. I know that might sound unfair or even out of nowhere, but given how recent everything is, and how open you and Kevin are with each other about so many things, it’s hard not to wonder. Maybe it’s just my overthinking, or the emotional residue from what we’ve been through. But the thought alone makes me pull back a little.

The last thing I want is for someone else to know these letters even exist, let alone know what’s inside them. These are incredibly personal, raw parts of me. They aren’t just words, they’re pieces of my heart, and the idea of anyone else reading or even being aware of them feels like a deep violation of that trust, trust that already has cracks.

That said, I still love the process of writing them. It gives me space to clear my mind, to process what I’m feeling, and to work through the things I might not always know how to say out loud. Maybe one day, when it feels right, when I feel fully safe in doing so, I’ll print them all out and give them to you. Every single one.

But for now, I think I need to hold onto them a little longer. Not as a secret, but as a step toward healing, clarity, and eventually, deeper trust.

I’m sure at some point you’re going to ask about the letters again. And when you do, I’ll tell you the truth, I’m still writing them. I haven’t stopped. I’m just not printing them out or handing them to you right now.

My mind still spins from time to time. It races back through the messages I read between you and Kevin, and no matter how much I try to push them aside, I can’t quite shake the feeling that there may have been more between the two of you than you’ve shared. I’m not saying this to accuse you or stir up conflict, it’s just what lingers in my heart.

Knowing that you loved him, and that the two of you remain so close, pulls at something deep in me. It creates this quiet tug I can’t ignore. A sense of unease that flares up from time to time, especially when certain memories resurface. I’m doing my best to move forward, to let time and love do their healing. I want that healing, especially as we step toward marriage, and everything we’re building together.

But if I’m being honest, there’s still something about your relationship with him that feels unresolved. Like a door that was never fully closed. Maybe it’s just a shadow from the past. Maybe it’s because I know how deeply it cut me when I found out. Or maybe it’s because I saw things, pictures, words, that I never should’ve had to see, and they left marks I’m still trying to smooth over.

I don’t want to keep carrying these feelings silently, but I also don’t want to weigh you down with them constantly. That’s why the letters have become a quiet space for me to process all of it. A place where I can be honest with myself, and eventually with you, when the time is right.

I love you, and I want us to be stronger than what we’ve gone through. I believe we can be. I just need you to understand where I’m at, and why I’m not quite ready to hand these pages over yet.

I think I finally understand why this whole situation with Kevin has been such a strong emotional trigger for me. It took me some time to connect the dots, but today it really hit me: it brings back memories and pain from my past, specifically from my marriage to Vickie.

Looking back, I never realized during our marriage why she was always on Facebook Messenger, or why she would walk away when she was on the phone. I chalked it up to little things, never questioned it too much, until after she passed away. It was only then, when I looked back through her messages, that I saw what had really been going on. It hurt. It shook something in me that I’ve clearly carried forward without even realizing it.

You’d think after over 20 years together, I would have seen the signs. But love sometimes clouds your vision, and trust makes you overlook what you don’t want to see.

Now, I want to be clear: I know you’re not Vickie, and I don’t compare you to her. I love you for who you are. But this is where my mind tends to go when certain patterns show up, especially when I feel like someone I love is emotionally closer to someone else. It’s not about mistrust in you, it’s an echo of hurt that I hadn’t truly faced until now.

I also think about our conversations regarding Amy and Masson, and how Amy was emotionally cheating on Anthony. Those words, emotional cheating, has come up before, and if I’m being honest, that’s how your friendship with Kevin has felt to me at times. I know it’s not black and white, and I know you’ve needed someone to talk to, someone you’ve leaned on. And I don’t want to take that away from you. But that’s where the struggle lives inside me. That’s the tension I’ve been wrestling with.

There are moments when you feel distant, even just slightly, and my mind, without warning, starts imagining that you’re thinking about the life you might’ve had with him. And those thoughts hurt. They’re probably not fair, but they’re real.

Still, despite all of this, despite the noise in my head, the wounds from my past, and the fears I haven’t always known how to voice, you are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. You’re the one I love. You’re the one I choose. And I believe in what we’re building together.

Thank you for being patient with me as I unpack all of this. Thank you for letting me be honest. And most of all, thank you for loving me in return. I love you. Deeply, completely, and always.

Letter to AJ: June 17, 2025

I’m in my feels a bit today. I was talking with Stephanie, and she mentioned that she’s been clearing out some of Vickie’s things and donating them. It brought up a lot for me, because I’ve been needing to do the same, for a while now. The garage and the storage unit still hold so many of Vickie’s belongings, and even after three years, I find myself stuck, not knowing what to do with them all.

It amazes me how much is still there. And the truth is, I really do need to let it go, not because the memories aren’t important, but because it’s time to make space, emotionally and physically. I think when you told me that I need to make room for you and Aaric, this is what you were gently referring to.

It’s been weighing heavily on my mind. It’s not just about sorting through items, it’s about facing emotions I’ve boxed away, alongside the boxes in storage. But I know it’s time. It’s time to close that chapter in a healthy, respectful way and make room for the life we’re building now.

With the long weekend coming up, I think I’ll finally take that step. Donate what I can, sort through what matters, and start clearing out the rest. Stephanie offered to come down and help, and I appreciate her kindness more than I can say. But I think this is something I need to do with out her. Not because I don’t want support, but because this feels like a personal turning point I need to walk through. And through all of this, I am so thankful that you are by my side during this process. Just knowing you’re here, that I’m not alone in any of this, gives me strength and peace in a way I can’t quite explain.

At the same time, I’m still receiving reports from Incident Response about the case involving the messages between you and KH. I did take a look, just out of curiosity, and saw there are over a thousand screenshots that they recovered. That alone was overwhelming. I’ve since asked to be removed from the notifications, because every time a new update pops up, it feels like reopening a wound that hasn’t fully healed.

To be honest, I did look through some of the older messages from 2022, around the time shortly after we first met. And I instantly regretted it. Some messages in particular stuck with me, you had written to KH that you were building a life with me but were secretly in love with him, that you wanted him to spread your thighs apart. You mentioned planning to meet him at the airport on my birthday, and that it didn’t matter whether it bothered me or not, and you brought up the idea of you and him getting married in Las Vegas.

All of that brought all the pain back to the surface. It’s recent enough that my mind still reacts, still spirals, and it gets noisy in my head all over again. Nothing quite compares to the feeling of trying to move forward, only to be pulled backward by something you thought had been processed. It’s like pouring salt on a wound that just refuses to close.

I know how strong our love is for each other. I feel it every day, in the way we laugh, support one another, and continue choosing each other. But there’s still a small pit in my gut… a part of me that wonders if I unintentionally came between you and someone you weren’t quite done with. And along with that, this sense that maybe I still don’t know everything.

Please know that I hate unloading these intrusive thoughts on you. I really do. But I don’t have another outlet for them, and more than that, I don’t want to keep them bottled up. I’d rather be transparent with you than let them fester in silence and create distance between us. I know you’ve got so much on your plate already, and the last thing I want is to add more weight to your shoulders.

That’s why I’m asking for your guidance, with love and humility. What do I do with these thoughts when they surface? Should I keep sharing them with you, trusting that our relationship can hold space for them? Or should I learn to bury them, to protect our peace and guard what we’ve been working so hard to build?

I don’t want to be a source of added stress for you. I just want to be honest about where I am in my head, and find a path forward that brings us closer, not push us apart.

No matter what, I love you, with every part of my soul. I trust you.

Letter to AJ: June 16, 2025

I’m really happy that you appreciate the idea of these letters, this mix of journaling and love notes that let me share what’s going on in my head and heart. It means the world to me to know that you’re open to this, not just as something for me, but as something for us.

Writing them gives me a way to untangle the overthinking that so often gets the best of me. It helps me slow down, take a breath, and put my thoughts into something meaningful, something you can hold, read, and reflect on. It brings me peace, and in a way, it brings me closer to you.

What I love even more is that we can actually talk about the things I write. That these aren’t just words on a page, but starting points for real conversations. That kind of emotional connection, where we can be open, honest, and vulnerable with each other, is something I’ve always hoped to find in a partner. And I’ve found it in you.

I really hate that I’m an overthinker. It’s something I’ve struggled with for so long. Sometimes the noise in my mind gets so loud that it drowns out the present and pulls me back into the past. And the worst part is, my mind doesn’t always go to the good moments, it gravitates toward the painful ones. I replay things I wish I could forget, almost like I’m stuck in a loop I didn’t ask for.

I catch myself wondering why. Why revisit the things that hurt? Why does my brain cling to the negative instead of holding on to the beautiful memories, the moments that made me feel loved, safe, and happy? Those are the moments I want to remember. Those are the ones that deserve to live rent-free in my mind, not the ones that cause doubt or pain.

I don’t ever want to give you a version of me that’s filled with nothing but intrusive thoughts. You deserve more than that, you deserve peace, love, joy… the best of me.

Since our conversation this past weekend, my mind has been quiet. Truly quiet. For the first time in a while, the noise has faded, and it’s been so peaceful, so freeing. I’ve been able to breathe, to think clearly, to feel present. And that feeling, that quiet, has been wonderful. Thank you for helping create that space.

I really did have a great time this weekend down in Galveston. It was one of those trips that, even with a few hiccups, reminded me how much I enjoy just being with you. Honestly, the only downside was the cost, but I’m sure if we plan it out better next time, we can definitely make it work and go back.

One thing I’m especially excited about is looking into the sea turtle release. I’m going to do some research and make a plan for us to go next year. I was so looking forward to capturing some photos this time around. We’ll make it happen.

I’m really excited to be getting the car this week. I think it’s going to be a great move for us, especially with how much gas we go through on longer trips. It’ll definitely make things more efficient and hopefully save us some money in the long run.

And I know I’ve already said this, but I want to say it again: I’m genuinely happy that you are going to be getting the car you’ve been wanting. That matters to me more than anything. Seeing you excited about it makes me even more excited.

I know you’re feeling nervous about Corbin and his upcoming court dates, and I completely understand why. It’s a lot to carry. I want you to know that I have faith that things are going to work out in his favor. I truly believe that. And while I know there’s probably nothing I can say that will fully ease your mind right now, I still want to remind you, you’re not going through this alone. I’m here with you, every step of the way, and I’ll keep holding on to that hope for both of you.

Aaric really frustrated me today at the doctor’s office, he pushed my buttons more than usual. I ended up taking his Xbox mic away, and I’m sure he’s going to try and wear everyone down just to get it back. We’ll probably need to brace ourselves and stay strong together, because giving in too quickly won’t help in the long run. It’s tough, but I know we’ve got this. Consistency is key, even when it’s annoying.

Today, my wedding ring came in—and I can’t tell you how excited I am. I’m really looking forward to seeing it in person and making sure it fits just right, in just a few short months, I’ll be wearing it for good.

Come October, when we say “I do,” that ring won’t just be a symbol, it’ll be a promise, a beginning, and a reminder of everything we’ve building together. I can’t wait for that moment.

I love you with all my heart, fully, deeply, and without hesitation. You are my everything, and every part of me is wrapped in the love I feel for you.

Letter to AJ: June 10, 2025

You know how I’ve been saying that you’re lucky to have someone to talk to when things feel confusing or heavy? Well, I have that person too. Tag, your it. I mean, I’m going to be spending the rest of my life with you… so why shouldn’t you be the one I turn to, even when what I need to talk about involves you? Being able to talk openly, even when it’s hard, is part of what makes US stronger. And I want that with you, always.

I was recently searching for a journaling app, something simple that would let me collect and organize my thoughts more easily. I’ve always found typing to be more natural than writing by hand; it helps me express things I might struggle to say out loud. I wanted a private space to get it all out, somewhere to process everything that’s swirling in my head and heart.

While browsing, I stumbled across an article that suggested writing journal entries in the form of letters. At first, I brushed it off as I have done this before, but the more I thought about it, the more the idea made sense, because these aren’t just about closure. They’re about connection, reflection, and preservation. A letter doesn’t just capture a thought, it captures a moment, a feeling, a piece of time. And that is important.

So I’ve started writing letters, meant specifically for you.

These letters are deeply personal and honest. They are yours, completely. You can keep them, read them when you need to, or even decide what to do with them years from now. But until that time, I’ll be tucking them away in my files like a quiet, growing record of my thoughts, feelings, and our life together.

It’s kind of funny when I think about it, a 50-year-old man, typing out letter-journal entries like some sentimental teenager. But maybe that’s what love and growth do to us. They make us softer in some places, more reflective in others. They make us want to hold on to the things that matter.

Writing these letters is also my way of being vulnerable in a way I don’t always manage in conversation. You know how I sometimes struggle to say what I’m feeling, especially when the emotions are big or complicated. This gives me a way to open up without overthinking every word. It allows me to say things that might otherwise get caught in the knots of my mind.

I’m writing these not just for myself, but for us. I want them to be a window into the parts of me you might not always see. They won’t all be heavy or emotional, some might be full of joy, hope, or even random stories and memories. But every single one will be honest, and every single one will be written with love.

I don’t know how often I’ll write them. Maybe once a week. Maybe when something’s weighing on me. Maybe just because I feel like capturing a moment. But I do know this: every single one I write, I’ll give to you.

Because you’re the person I’ve chosen to spend my life with. And if I’m going to share a lifetime with someone, it only feels right to share my inner world too, even the parts that are hard to talk about.

So, this is the beginning of something new. A letter journal. A written thread of thoughts, love, questions, struggles, and dreams. For us.

The first letter I wrote to you was on May 14th, just two days after I saw the messages between you and KH on May 12th. That moment shook me in ways I didn’t expect, it hit something deep within me. And though I’ve tried to stay calm and thoughtful throughout it, the truth is I’ve been quietly carrying a weight ever since.

It’s now been almost a month, and I’m still processing it all. I’m still sorting through my feelings, unpacking the emotions that came up, and trying to understand exactly why it hurt the way it did. At the same time, I’ve been doing the hard inner work of slowly breaking down the emotional walls I built up, walls that I once believed were necessary to keep myself safe. Those walls might have shielded me, but they also kept me from fully opening up. And with you, I want to be open. I want to be vulnerable. I want to give you all of me, not a version that’s been dulled by fear or hurt.

I genuinely believe that time has the power to heal. Maybe not to erase what happened, but to soften it, to help fill in the cracks in my trust and restore what was shaken. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting. It means choosing to move forward, choosing to rebuild, and choosing to believe in the love that brought us together in the first place. And that’s exactly what I’m choosing, us.

When I told you that I still wanted you to be friends with KH, I wasn’t just saying the “right” thing. I meant it. And even now, I still mean it. I want you to have the friendships that bring you joy and support, even if they’re not always easy for me to understand. That said, I’d be lying if I said everything about your friendship with him feels comfortable right now. There’s a lingering “yuck” feeling, one that I can’t quite shake yet. But it’s not coming from a place of jealousy or possessiveness. It’s coming from a place of being human. Of feeling betrayed. Of trying to make sense of how something that seemed so casual to you could land so heavily for me.

Please don’t mistake my hurt for anger. I’m not mad at you. I’m not mad at him. But I am hurt. Not just by the words exchanged, but by the way it all unfolded, by the secrecy, by the feeling that something important was being kept from me. That’s what hurt the most. It wasn’t what was said; it was that I wasn’t supposed to know it was being said at all.

That lack of transparency shook me, because openness and trust are two of the most sacred things in a relationship. When it’s missing, even for a moment, it can cast a dark shadow on everything else. And I don’t want shadows between us. I want clarity. I want trust. I want to feel like there’s nothing unsaid, nothing hidden, nothing I have to stumble to understand.

But I also know that no one is perfect, not me, not you, not anyone. And the fact that we’re here, still showing up for each other, still trying to communicate, still choosing to move forward, that’s what matters. That’s what love is: not perfection, but persistence. Not avoiding hurt, but growing through it together.

So yes, I’m still healing. Yes, I’m still learning how to let down the defenses I instinctively put up when something feels threatening to my heart. But I’m also still here. Still loving you. Still believing in what we’re building. Still wanting this life with you, completely.

And I hope that in time, the trust that cracked will not only heal but become stronger than it was before. Because I know we’re worth that kind of effort. I know you are. One of the things that came out of seeing the messages between you and Kevin and dealing with the hurt, is I found out how much I truly love you and you are my world, and you complete me. I am so looking forward to making you my wife and building a wonderful life together. Us getting married in October and growing old together is truly what I want.

My 50th birthday was an amazing day and one that I will never forget. The way that you set things up and decorated showed me that you wanted to make the day very special and it was. It was one of the perfect days with you and I will always cherish it.

The weekend in Shreveport was special. It felt like a breath of fresh air, a moment where time slowed down just enough for us to really be present and enjoy each other. One of the highlights for me was exploring Caddo Lake State Park. There was something so peaceful and otherworldly about that place, like we had stepped into a hidden corner of nature untouched by time. The towering cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, the calm waters, and the quiet stillness all around, made it feel like we were in our own little world.

I’m looking forward to going back. I just know there’s so much more to see and experience, trails to walk, quiet moments to take in, and definitely opportunities for me to capture some unforgettable photos.

And of course, no trip would be complete without a little wine tasting adventure on the way. Visiting the wineries has become such a fun and relaxing part of our getaways, something uniquely ours. We just need to remember our hard-earned lesson this time: food before wine, not after!

I love these little getaways with you. They give us the chance to reconnect, to escape the routine, and to just be. And I can’t wait for more of them, especially with all of us together, exploring, laughing, and making memories that will last a lifetime.

I thought the conversations we had driving to and from Bally’s were really meaningful. There’s something about being on the open road with you, no distractions, just music, the passing scenery, and time to talk, that creates space for real connection. It felt good. It felt right. Those moments reminded me how much I love simply talking with you, even about the small things.

I especially appreciate the conversation cards we use during our trips. They’ve become such a helpful tool for me, more than I realized at first. They create a structure that gently pulls me out of my own head and into a place where I can express myself more freely. You may not always see it, but my thoughts tend to get tangled. I overthink, replay scenarios, second-guess my words before they even leave my mouth. And when that happens, it’s like my brain locks up, and I find it hard to say what I really mean. The cards give me a way through that, a way to push past the mental noise and actually speak from my heart.

I remember reading something in one of your messages, where you mentioned that sometimes talking with me can be hard. You didn’t say it directly to me, but it stuck with me. It made me realize that maybe I haven’t always made it easy to have those deeper conversations, not because I didn’t want to, but because I didn’t always know how. And that’s something I want to change. Not just for you, for us.

The truth is, I don’t fully understand why I still hesitate sometimes, especially when it comes to opening up to you. You are the person I’ve chosen to spend the rest of my life with. You’re my partner, my best friend, my future. If there’s anyone I should feel completely safe and open with, it’s you. But the last month has been especially tough for me. I’ve been working, truly working, on tearing down some of the emotional walls I built to protect my heart. Those walls serve a purpose, but they don’t belong between us. They’re not meant to keep you out.

I’m learning, little by little, how to let those defenses go. It’s not easy, and I may not always get it right, but I want you to know I’m trying. I want to grow in how I communicate with you. I want to be more present, more open, more vulnerable, because you deserve that, and I know our relationship will only grow stronger because of it.

So thank you for your patience. Thank you for the quiet encouragement, the gentle nudges, and for listening when I finally do find the words. I love talking with you, and I’m looking forward to many more road trip conversations, some deep, some lighthearted, all meaningful.

There’s something I’ve been holding onto that I feel I need to bring up, because it’s been lingering in my mind and heart, and I don’t want it to quietly fester into something bigger. It happened on the night of June 4th.

That evening, I thought Aaric might have been giving you a hard time about going to bed. I got up and opened the bedroom door to check on things, and when I did, I saw you on the phone. From the brief moment I caught, it sounded like you were deep in conversation, and I had the strong feeling that you were talking with Kevin. I didn’t say anything. I just quietly closed the door and went back to bed, but my mind instantly began spinning.

Lying there, thoughts started racing, questions, doubts, wounds reopening, walls rebuilding. And when you came back into the room a while later, I tried to gently feel out what had happened. I asked if Aaric had been giving you trouble and whether you had fallen asleep in his bed. You asked me why I thought that, and I explained that you had been gone for a while. But in that moment, you didn’t confirm or clarify anything, you didn’t correct me or offer any details. And so, the silence spoke for itself. The only conclusion I could draw was that you were talking to Kevin, and for whatever reason, you didn’t want me to know that.

It’s not the conversation itself that’s bothering me as much as the secrecy around it. It made me feel uneasy, like there was a door quietly closing between us. I don’t want that. I want openness, honesty, even when the truth is difficult. I’ve said before, I don’t expect perfection. But I do hope for transparency, especially as we work to rebuild trust and grow stronger together.

I’m not bringing this up to accuse or argue. I’m bringing it up because I value our connection too much to let small things grow into quiet resentments. This relationship, our life together, it means everything to me. That’s why I’m choosing to be open, even when it feels a little scary or vulnerable.

I’ve also been thinking about our conversation at Bally’s—when we were sitting at the bar and you opened up about messaging Kevin. You told me, in full transparency, that part of the reason for reaching out was to avoid slipping into old Mason like habits. That moment meant a lot to me. I genuinely appreciated your honesty and the courage it took to say that out loud. It showed me that you’re self-aware, that you’re trying to grow, and that you’re willing to share the hard truths with me, even if they’re not easy.

I remember asking you during that same conversation when the last time you had actually spoken with Kevin was. You told me it had been a couple of weeks. But something about that didn’t quite sit right with me. Based on what I’ve observed and sensed, I believe it may have only been a few days earlier, back to June 4th. And ever since then, that small discrepancy has stuck with me, not because I want to catch you in anything, but because I’ve been trying to understand everything. With this, the walls continue to build. I don’t want walls between us.

It’s made me wonder: why hide a phone conversation now? Haven’t we already been through the hardest part? I thought we had moved past the secrecy, that we were in a place of rebuilding on a stronger, more honest foundation. That’s why it’s been hard for me to shake the feeling that something is still being withheld, however small it might seem on the surface. It’s not that I don’t hear you when you say things are okay. It’s not that I don’t believe the core of what you’ve shared. In fact, most of me does believe it. But there’s still a unsettled part of my gut that feels like a lot of pieces are missing. And I don’t want to ignore that instinct, because in the past, I’ve done that, and it’s only led to heartbreak.

What really caught me off guard, though, was the joke you made right before dinner, that I had sent those messages to myself. I know it was meant as a joke, but in that moment, it cut deeply. It felt dismissive of the heartbreak I went through. It felt like the very real hurt I experienced was being made into a punchline, and honestly, it landed like a knife straight to the heart. Part of me thinks you are Kevin are talking this way during your phone calls.

Please understand, I’m not bringing any of this up to make you feel bad. That’s the last thing I want. I’m writing about it because these thoughts have been living in my head and heart, and I need to give them space to breathe. This isn’t about blame, it’s about understanding. I need you to know what’s been weighing on me, not because I want to dwell on the past, but because I want us to move forward with honesty and clarity.

I believe in us. I believe we’re stronger than the hard moments we’ve faced. And I believe that continuing to share the uncomfortable stuff, even when it stings, is how we build something unshakable. You are the person I want to walk through life with. I just want to do it with everything laid out, with no shadows or walls between us.

During one of our recent conversations, while I was getting things ready for the birthday trip, you brought up our sex life. I’ve thought about that moment a lot since then. And I want to say this as clearly as I can: our sex life is the best I’ve ever experienced in my life. It’s not just the physical part, it’s the intimacy, the closeness, the comfort of being completely myself with you. I hope, truly, that it’s been just as meaningful and fulfilling for you.

That said, there’s something I’ve been carrying in the back of my mind, something subtle, but it’s been there. Part of the reason I picked up those items for the trip was because, in some quiet way, I’ve felt like we’ve started to lose a bit of that intimate connection. Not the love, we still have that, but the small gestures that made us feel so close at the beginning. The little things that reminded us we were wanted, needed, safe with each other. I guess I hoped those things I got would help spark something again, not because anything is broken, but because I want to make sure the flame between us always stays lit.

I keep thinking back to the early days of us as a couple, those quiet moments lying in bed together. We used to take turns gently touching, rubbing each other’s arms or backs, simply being close. It wasn’t about sex. It was about connection, affection, comfort. It was one of the ways I felt deeply loved and safe with you, and one of the ways I loved showing you how much you meant to me.

Lately, I’ve found myself missing that. Missing you, in that quiet, nonverbal way. I know we’ve both been carrying a lot emotionally over the past couple of months, and maybe that’s part of it. But it feels like I’ve been the one reaching out for those small, intimate moments, offering the touch, the closeness, and not feeling it returned.

Please don’t take this as criticism. I’m not trying to point fingers or say you’re doing something wrong. I just want to share what I’ve been feeling, because those little acts of closeness matter to me. They help me feel connected, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. After all, that is my Love Language.

I want us to hold onto all the things that make our relationship strong, and I believe our intimacy, on every level, is one of those things. I love you deeply, and I want to keep building and nurturing every part of our bond, not just through grand gestures or milestones, but through the little moments that happen when no one’s watching. Like lying side by side, in the quiet, just being together.

I read somewhere that everyone comes into a relationship with baggage. You will either trip over each other’s bags or you will unpack them together. The right person will sit down with you and unpack them together. I know without a shadow of a doubt, we are the right people for each other.

You came into my life when I least expected it, quietly, almost as if fate whispered your name into my world when I wasn’t even looking. And somehow, without warning, you became the most important person in my life. You didn’t just walk in, you fit, we fit. Like a missing piece I didn’t even realize I’d been searching for.

I want you to remember something, always, no matter what life brings, no matter the storms we weather or the challenges we face, I will never stop loving you. My love for you isn’t tied to convenience, or to perfect days. It’s tied to you, to your heart, your soul, the way you see me, the way you hold space for me, even when I’m struggling to hold it for myself.

You give me feelings I never knew I was capable of feeling again. Real, deep, soul-level emotions, the kind that settle into your bones and make you feel at home in someone’s presence. When I look at you, I don’t just see the person I love. I see my future. I see the laughter we’ll share, the dreams we’ll build, the adventures we’ll take, the quiet nights we’ll wrap ourselves in. I see a life I want, not just now, but always.

With you, I’ve found something rare. I’ve found peace. A calm I didn’t even know I needed, and certainly never thought I’d find. You are the steady hand when everything feels overwhelming. You are the light that cuts through my darkest days. You are the soft place I land when the world feels hard.

You’re not just the love of my life, you’re my strength. My home.

Thank you. Thank you for showing me what real love feels like. Thank you for choosing me, even when I’m not at my best. Thank you for walking with me, loving me, and allowing me to grow alongside you.

And know this—truly, deeply: I’ll love you always. No matter what.

June 6-8, 2025 – Shreveport, LA

For my birthday weekend, AJ and I took a trip to Shreveport. It turned out to be an alright trip, though it is not somewhere I would recommend visiting.

Our plan was to do a little shopping and refresh some of our clothes while we were there, so we packed only a single change of clothing. The place we were staying was supposed to be right next to an outlet mall, which seemed like a safe bet.

After checking in, we walked over to the mall and quickly realized that almost all of the stores were closed down. The place was practically empty. We managed to find one store that was still open and bought the bare minimum so we would at least have something to wear for the rest of the weekend.

Later we sat at the bar and talked with a few people, telling them about some of the trips we had taken. During the conversation they mentioned that we probably should not venture out at night. Just a couple of weekends earlier there had been a shooting right in front of the hotel, and they said the streets were not very safe after dark.

After a few drinks, the conversation between AJ and me drifted back to KH since they had been texting. AJ showed me the messages they were exchanging, and everything appeared innocent.

At one point the bartender realized it was my 50th birthday weekend and helped arrange dinner for us with a specific waiter at the restaurant.

On the way to dinner, AJ made a comment that caught me completely off guard. She said she thought it might have been me who got into her Facebook account and sent the screenshots to my own phone. I could not believe she would even think that. I could not understand what possible reason I would have for doing something like that. A little later she walked that statement back and said she had only been joking, but I did not find it funny at all.

I decided to push past it so the evening would not be ruined. Dinner ended up being wonderful. I told her not to order anything and that I would choose everything for her. By the end of the meal she said it was one of the best dinners she had ever had, and she even admitted that she now likes French onion soup.

June 1, 2025 – Re-Engaged

We have been making progress in repairing our relationship and continuing to talk through things. I know that when I bring up the affair, it still upsets AJ. Sometimes I wonder if I am pushing too hard when I want to talk about it, or if it simply hurts her to face how much it hurt me.

With the amount of love I have for this woman, I choose to believe it is the latter.

It has only been a few weeks since I found out, but I have realized that I truly want to spend the rest of my life with her. Today I told her that I still want to get married, and we decided to get engaged again.

May 23-26, 2025 – Jellystone Park Texas Wine Country

Over the weekend, AJ, AE, and I went camping near Fredericksburg. We had driven by this place many times during our weekend trips to Fredericksburg, but we had never actually stayed there before.

Believe it or not, we all ended up having a really good time. AE was not his usual misbehaving self, which made the trip much more enjoyable. We were able to relax, sit by the pool, and have a couple of beers while enjoying the quiet weekend together.

May 19, 2025 – CL moved into college

Today AJ’s oldest, CL, moved into college. It should have been an exciting day for her and a proud moment for the family.

Unfortunately, I found it hard to feel that excitement because I was still dealing with everything surrounding the affair. My mind was still trying to process everything that had happened.

It also made things more difficult because I do not have a very positive opinion of CL. In my view, he tends to be very manipulative with her, and that has always made it harder for me to feel comfortable about their relationship.

May 16-17, 2025 – Camp Fimfo Waco

AJ, AE, and I spent the weekend camping at Camp Fimfo Waco. Even though more messages had come through and I brought them up with AJ, we still managed to have a good time together.

Of course, it would not be a trip with AE without some sort of incident. At one point he got into a fight with another kid at the campground. Even with that moment, most of the weekend was still enjoyable.

I eventually turned off the device that was receiving the messages so they would stop interrupting what we were trying to do. We were both trying to focus on rebuilding what had been damaged.

Trying to reconnect after an emotional affair is not easy. It takes time, patience, and a lot of difficult conversations, that AJ really does not want to have.